Reduction–boronation route to chromium boride (CrB) nanorods

Chromium boride (CrB) nanorods were synthesized via a reduction–boronation route at 650 °C in molten salt in an autoclave. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the product was indexed as the orthorhombic CrB. Transmission electron microscope images indicated that the sample consisted of single-crystalline nanorods with the diameter of 10–30 nm and a maximum length of 1.5 μm. The PL spectra showed the ultraviolet light emission at 340 nm. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the product also had very good anti-oxidation properties below 630 °C. A possible growth mechanism was proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]